Gabriel: The US is moving – but not enough
At the conclusion of the "Major Economies Meeting", which united high-ranking representatives of the world’s top 17 greenhouse gas emitting countries on the invitation of US President George W. Bush, Federal Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel stated:
"The meeting in Washington has clearly shown that a lot is beginning to move in the US. There was consensus among the participants that climate change is a problem affecting all humanity which urgently requires a response, and that the United Nations is the appropriate forum for giving this response. In substance, however, views diverged considerably, in particular with regard to the position of the US government. At present, the US rejects both internationally binding reduction targets for greenhouse gases and a market-based approach, which would put a price on greenhouse gas emissions.”
Although the US Administration is also advocating global medium- and long-term goals, it wants to leave the decision on national targets in support of these global goals to the individual countries. The US government is also against international emissions trading (cap and trade), which would provide market-based incentives for the reduction of emissions and for the introduction of new technologies. Instead, it believes that modern technologies will become established by themselves.
These ideas met with substantial opposition from the majority of participants. Germany and the EU, but also South Africa, Brazil and other participants called for internationally binding targets and review mechanisms in addition to national targets. Moreover, the overwhelming majority of conference participants expressed the view that they consider the introduction of a global trading system for emission allowances absolutely indispensable.
Nevertheless, Federal Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel draws a positive conclusion from the conference: “The US is back on board the boat of international climate protection negotiations. This is a decisive step forward. Now we have to make sure that everybody in the boat begins to steer in the same direction. I am convinced that the US will face up to its responsibility in climate protection at the end of the process.”
The Washington meeting was an important step in preparation for the Climate Change Conference in Bali at the end of the year. A follow-up meeting of the major greenhouse gas emitters will take place after Bali.